Stock Market & Financial Investment News

DirecTV CEO says internet service critical to staying competitive, Reuters saysDirecTV (DTV) CEO Michael White told lawmakers at a hearing that in order for the company to remain competitive, it needs to merge with AT&T (T) so that it can offer Internet service to clients, according to Reuters, citing comments from White. White said, "We've competed aggressively by delivering more high-definition channels, a clearer picture ... than cable. In recent years, however, broadband is changing everything. If we want to continue to compete effectively in today's Internet-driven economy, we must adapt as well." Reference Link

T-Mobile mid-band spectrum rises in value after recent auction, WSJ saysThe value of the mid-band spectrum given by AT&T (T) to T-Mobile (TMUS) as part of their failed bankruptcy proceedings has risen from $1B in 2012 to an estimated $4.7B in the wake of the recent spectrum auction, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing analysts at New Street Research. Reference Link

AT&T betting on slow decline in traditional cable packages, WSJ saysAT&T (T) knew that demand for cable bundles had likely peaked when it bought DirecTV (DTV), but the company believes the decline in traditional cable businesses will be slower than anticipated, allowing it to fund upgrades to its broadband network, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing statements by Chief Strategy Officer John Stankey. "The world is going to be broadband... and that is where we want to be," said Stankey. The Journal notes that Apple (AAPL), Time Warner's (TWC) HBO, and Dish (DISH) have launched or plan to launch web-TV packages and services. Reference Link

Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge to be available in U.S. beginning April 10Samsung Electronics America (SSNLF) announced the Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge will be available in the U.S. beginning April 10, with pre-orders starting March 27. In the U.S., the Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge will be available in Black Sapphire, White Pearl and Gold Platinum -- in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB2 memory options. AT&T (T), Sprint (S), T-Mobile (TMUS), U.S. Cellular (USM) and Verizon Wireless (VZ) will carry both the Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge, while Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS will carry the Galaxy S 6. Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy (BBY), as well as Amazon.com (AMZN), Costco Wholesale (COST), Sam’s Club (WMT), Target (TGT) and Walmart will also carry the Galaxy S 6 and Galaxy S 6 edge. Carriers and retailers will confirm specific pricing and availability.

Pendrell unit: Court rejects attempts to limit scope of DRM patentsContentGuard Holdings, a subsidiary of Pendrell Corporation (PCO), announced that on Friday, March 20, Judge J. Rodney Gilstrap of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a 144 page Claim Construction Order in lawsuits ContentGuard filed against several companies who continue to use its patented Digital Rights Management solutions without a license, including Apple (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN), DirecTV (DTV), Google (GOOG), HTC, Huawei, Motorola Mobility and Samsung Electronics (SSNLF). In his order, Judge Gilstrap interpreted the language in ContentGuard’s patents in a manner that fully preserves the breadth of ContentGuard’s patented Digital Rights Management technologies. These technologies were developed to enable the distribution of digital media over the Internet and other networks, including cellular and satellite networks, and provide innovative solutions to problems that were once thought to be unsolvable. “We are very pleased with the Court’s ruling,” commented James Baker, ContentGuard’s Vice President for Licensing and Strategic Development. “We believe these claim constructions demonstrate that the online stores defendants provide for buying and renting DRM-protected movies, videos, books, and music and devices that play, run, display or print this DRM-protected content infringe ContentGuard’s pioneering DRM patents.”

On The Fly: Closing WrapStocks on Wall Street opened lower but turned mixed early in the day and remained that way for most of the session. The Dow and S&P spent most of the day deep in negative territory, while the Nasdaq managed to stay just above the flat line. Investors had a chance to digest yesterday’s comments from the Fed and may have re-considered whether it latest policy stance was as dovish as originally believed. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., initial jobless claims rose 1K to 291K in the week ended March 14, which nearly matched the consensus 293K forecast. The current account deficit widened to $113.5B in Q4 from a revised deficit of $98.9B in Q3. The leading indicators for February rose 0.2% to 121.4, which was in-line with expectations. The Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey ticked down to a 5.0 one-year low from 5.2 in February, missing expectations for it to have risen a 7.0 reading. COMPANY NEWS: Apple (AAPL) joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average after the close last night, replacing AT&T (T). Shares of Apple finished their first day in the blue chip index down 97c, or 0.76%, at $127.50, while AT&T fell 39c, or 1.16%, to $33.20... Coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) rose $1.92, or 2%, to close at $97.76 after hitting a new all-time high of $99.20 earlier. The move follows the company's investor day meeting yesterday, where it unveiled plans for two pilots of delivery services, reported a partnership to expand the distribution of its ready-to-drink products in China, and announced that its board has declared the sixth two-for-one split of the company’s stock since its IPO in 1992. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo were both unphased by the record highs and predicted the rally is not over for Starbucks in upbeat notes on the stock today. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD), which rose $3.11, or 33.26%, to $12.46 after reporting positive results in meetings with the EMA and FDA. Also higher was Wynn Resorts (WYNN), which gained $7.19, or 5.85%, to $130.11 after research firm Brean Capital last night initiated coverage of the stock and several casino peers with Buy ratings. Among the noteworthy losers was Transocean (RIG), which fell $1.09, or 7.15%, to $14.16 after saying that it intends to scrap four rigs and noting that with those it has announced plans to scrap a total of 16 floaters. Also lower after its earnings report was diversified apparel company Vince Holding (VNCE), which fell $3.50, or 16.36%, to $17.89. INDEXES: The Dow fell 117.16, or 0.65%, to 17,959.03, the Nasdaq gained 9.55, or 0.19%, to 4,992.38, and the S&P 500 declined 10.23, or 0.49%, to 2,089.27.

AT&T to pay $40M after missing appeal deadline, Bloomberg reportsAT&T is required to pay $40M in a patent infringement case because the company's lawyers failed to read a court document, reports Bloomberg. An appeals court ruled that AT&T missed the deadline to appeal a jury verdict for $27.5M, plus interest, won by Two-Way Media LLC. AT&T said its missed deadline was “excusable neglect” because of the incorrect docket entry, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said others were given the information needed and refused to extend the time period for the appeal. Reference Link

On The Fly: Midday WrapStocks on Wall Street were mixed at midday, with Nasdaq slightly higher and the Dow and S&P 500 both down a bit more than 0.5%. The day’s economic reports were generally benign and are likely less significant to the trading action than participants having had some time to digest yesterday’s Fed comments. Immediately after the Fed's policy statement yesterday, the U.S. dollar fell as low as 1.10 against the euro, but that move was almost entirely reversed overnight. The dollar was back near pre-Fed levels against the euro early this morning, and similar moves were seen in pairs of the dollar and other major currencies. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., initial jobless claims rose 1K to 291K in the week ended March 14, which nearly matched the consensus 293K forecast. The current account deficit widened to $113.5B in Q4 from a revised deficit of $98.9B in Q3. The leading indicators for February rose 0.2% to 121.4, which was in-line with expectations. The Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey ticked down to a 5.0 one-year low from 5.2 in February, missing expectations for it to have risen a 7.0 reading. In Europe, the Swiss National Bank left rates unchanged, cut its growth forecasts for the country's economy, said that it will intervene in currency markets as needed since it believes the Swiss Franc remains overvalued. COMPANY NEWS: Apple (AAPL) joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average today, replacing AT&T (T). Shares of the iPhone maker were down 0.5% near midday, while AT&T stock fell a bit more than 1%... Shares of coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) hit a new all-time high of $98.50 earlier this afternoon following the company's investor day meeting yesterday. In conjunction with its meeting, Starbucks reaffirmed its goal to grow its market cap to $100B, unveiled plans for two pilots of delivery services, announced that its board has declared the sixth two-for-one split of the company’s stock since its IPO in 1992 and said it has entered into an agreement for Tingyi to manufacture and expand the distribution of Starbucks ready-to-drink products throughout mainland China. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo both issued upbeat notes on the stock today, saying that the coffee retailer's shares can continue to climb. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was Coronado Biosciences (CNDO), which gained 42% after announcing the formation of a new company, Mustang Therapeutics, focused on Chimeric Antigen Receptor, or CAR-T, technology. The company also announced a licensing agreement with NeuPharma for EGFR inhibitors. Also higher was Guess (GES), which gained 15% after reporting higher than expected profits for its fiscal fourth quarter. Among the noteworthy losers was Transocean (RIG), which fell 6% after having announced last night that four of its 5th generation UDW drillships will be cold stacked and the contract with ENI (E) for the Transocean Amirante was terminated. Transocean also said it intends to scrap four rigs, noting that with those it has announced plans to scrap a total of 16 floaters. Also lower following its earnings report was diversified apparel company Vince Holding (VNCE), which fell 16%. INDEXES: Near midday, the Dow was down 128.51, or 0.71%, to 17,947.68, the Nasdaq was up 3.15, or 0.06%, to 4,985.98, and the S&P 500 was down 13.36, or 0.64%, to 2,086.14.

T-Mobile announces 'Un-contract,' 'Carrier Freedom' initiativesToday, during an event held to announce Un-carrier 9.0 − Un-carrier for Business − T-Mobile (TMUS) unveiled two new major Un-carrier initiatives for consumers. First, with T-Mobile’s new "Un-contract," customers will now have more certainty in their wireless pricing than ever before. Consumers and businesses with the Simple Choice rate plan will find that rates won’t go up as long as they’re a T-Mobile customer and keep their plan − and even customers with unlimited 4G LTE will lock in their rates for a minimum of two years. The Un-carrier also launched "Carrier Freedom," a new move where T-Mobile will now cover all outstanding phone and tablet payments up to $650 per line when customers from AT&T (T), Verizon (VZ) or Sprint (S) switch to T-Mobile.